KFOR: No changes in north
KFOR has denied that the U.S. soldiers will take over the responsibility for the Kosovo north from the French.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Thursday, January 13, 2011
KFOR Spokesman Hans-Dieter Wichter refuted allegations by the media from Priština that U.S. troops would be deployed to the north in March.
"The new Multinational Battle Group East, which is under the U.S. command and is comprised of soldiers of more than 10 nations, has not any specific responsibilities," he said.
"They can be deployed anywhere across Kosovo, but they serve the operational needs of KFOR and are under the command of Major General Erhard Bueler. He decides on who is to be in charge of the north or other regions in Kosovo," Wichter told.
According to him, the French, Moroccan and German contingents, which are deployed in the north, with headquarters in Novo Selo near Vucitrn in northern Kosovo, could be called to action in that region should the necessity arise.
Two days ago, the Pristina media reported that around 450 members of the U.S. New Mexico Army National Guard would be deployed in Kosovo by March, adding that it was expected they would be located in the north.
National Guard's Spokesman Jameson Herrera said that the number of members of the Guard to be sent to Kosovo would be bigger that before.
The Pristina media stated it was expected that the New Mexico Army National Guard would take over the authority in northern Kosovo from the French.
